Ep 25. Vintage Providence

Vintage Providence is the 25th episode of the 18th season of Antiques Roadshow UK. In this episode, the Antiques Roadshow team travels to Providence House in West London, a venue steeped in history, to appraise a variety of antiques and collectibles brought in by members of the public.

The show kicks off with a visit from John who has brought in a beautiful silver candelabra that belonged to his great grandfather. Expert Mark Hill is quick to identify it as a piece made by esteemed silversmith, Paul Storr, and values it in the region of £12,000-£15,000. John is understandably thrilled with the news, and the appraisal sets the tone for what is set to be a fascinating episode.

Next up is a pair of nineteenth-century paintings which are brought in by sisters Sally and Jane. The paintings are in a rather poor condition, but expert Dr. Bendor Grosvenor is impressed by the quality of the work and values them at £500 each. The sisters are thrilled to have found out a little more about the history of the paintings and are delighted to discover that their value exceeds what they originally expected.

In the next segment, we meet Ann who brings in a rather unusual object. It is a snuff box which she inherited from her grandmother, who was a keen collector of unusual curiosities. The box itself is made of mother of pearl but what makes it especially interesting is the intricate mechanism that is revealed when it is opened. This mechanism controls various hidden compartments in the box and is unlike anything expert Paul Atterbury has seen before. While its value is difficult to determine, Atterbury values it at around £1,500 which leaves a big smile on Ann's face.

Moving swiftly on, we meet a couple who have brought in a collection of silverware, including a set of fish knives and forks. The couple reveals that they inherited the set from a family member and have always wondered about its value. Expert Mark Hill is delighted with the quality of the silver and identifies it as being made by renowned silversmiths, Walker & Hall, and values the set at £800-£1,000.

The antiques being brought into the show continue to surprise and delight the experts as the show progresses. In one particularly interesting segment, expert Hilary Kay appraises a set of antique weighing scales that were originally used in pharmacy businesses. The scales come complete with a range of small weights and are incredibly well preserved. Kay values the scales at £500-£700 and is particularly interested in the small details, such as the eagle motif that adorns the weights.

As the show draws to a close, expert Andy McConnell has an equally fascinating item to appraise. A woman has brought in a rather unusual-looking vase which belonged to her grandmother. The vase is made of glass, with an intricate pattern of swirls and circles etched into the surface. McConnell identifies it as a piece of art nouveau glass, made by the renowned French glass company, Émile Gallé. The vase is valued at around £3,000-£5,000 which leaves the owner delighted and surprised.

In conclusion, Vintage Providence is an episode of Antiques Roadshow UK that offers a fascinating insight into the world of antiques and collectibles. The variety of items brought in by the public is truly impressive, and the expertise of the show's experts is both enlightening and entertaining. From silver candelabras to antique weighing scales, there is something for everyone in this episode, making it a must-watch for anyone with an interest in antiques and history.